(The BLET National Division extends condolences to BLET member Ken Kroeger, whose father passed away the evening of Christmas. Brother Kroeger is a member of BLET Division 28 in Tucson, Ariz., and he serves the National Division as Coordinator of the Education & Training Department and as a Special Representative.)
TUCSON, Ariz. — Longtime Tucson resident Ken Kroeger, 87, slipped away peacefully on the evening of December 25, 2009.
Ken was born in Eldridge, Iowa, on November 21, 1922, to Viola and Frank Kroeger. The family moved to Tucson in 1932. He graduated from Tucson High School in 1941, where he played clarinet in the marching band.
After graduation, he went to work at Valley National Bank, then was inducted into the Army on May 29, 1943. He arrived in Europe in October 1944, part of the 28th Infantry Division known as the “Bloody Bucket Brigade.” Three days after the Battle of the Bulge began on December 16, 1944, he and the rest of this outfit were overtaken by the Germans and he spent the rest of the war in a German POW camp. American soldiers liberated the camp on April 2, 1945.
Upon his return to civilian life, Ken resumed his employment with Valley National Bank in downtown Tucson. In 1949, he began employment at Arizona Portland Cement, where he served in numerous management roles until his retirement in 1986.
Once retired, he volunteered at Tucson Medical Center, driving the shuttle and working on the northeast desk, accumulating over 5,000 volunteer hours.
He was a life member of Elks #385 and #2532. In retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, playing poker, and traveling around the country, spending time with friends and family. He was always very young in spirit, had a wonderful life, and is dearly missed.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, a son, and a daughter. He is survived by his sister Betty Lou Jones, nephew Rick Jones and his wife Cindy Ott-Jones, niece Sandie Haeuser and her children Nicholas Polston and Brenlee; son Ken Kroeger and his wife Sereena Hogan; grandchildren Jessica (Jason) Smith and Joshua Hogan; great grandchildren Forest, Kamiel, and Skylar; daughter Cyndy Glogau and her husband Lee; and grandsons Eric and Ryan; along with cousin Dennis (Judy) Arp.
A Memorial Service in celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 11a.m. on Thursday, December 31, at Adair – Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave., Tucson, AZ 85704. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you please make a donation to your favorite charity in honor of Ken.